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Space for Cycling

The remainder of this page concerns the earlier Space for Cycling Campaigns.

Do you want safe space for cycling on our roads and streets? Then join the National Space for Cycling campaign!

Following the success of the campaign, Councillor James Lewis and Councillor Richard Lewis have declared that the Labour group of councillors in Leeds: that is, the ruling majority of the City Council, support the Space for Cycling campaign! This is great news so the next step is to implement Space4Cycling as a council priority.

The national S4C steering group (including London Cycling Campaign, CTC, Cyclenation and local campaign groups including Leeds Cycling Campaign) have agreed that Local Authorities who wish to support the Space for Cycling campaign can do so by making a firm commitment to:

Set a target to increase cycle trips as a percentage of all travel by a set date, in line with the Get Britain Cycling report’s recommendations (10% of all trips by 2025)

Prepare a map of a comprehensive cycle network for the local authority area, along the principles now being followed by Welsh local authorities under the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013.
This involves identifying where trips could be made by bicycle, identifying where those trips are made to and from, and planning for a comprehensive cycle route network.

Identify where this network falls short of best practice design standards (such as the Wales Active Travel Design Standard, London Cycle Design Standards or equivalent local standards).

Prioritise a core route network for early investment.

Producing estimated costings for both the core network and the comprehensive network. Both the existing and proposed networks should be included in all future planning documents.

Leeds is currently investing in the CityConnect program and aiming to capitalise on the legacy ofthe Tour de France. Councillor Richard Lewis says that Leeds CityCouncil supports the Space for Cycling campaign, but only 19 Leeds councillors have lodged their support so far.

You could also include a local S4C priority in your area, or explain what Space for Cycling means to you: cycling with family and friends, freedom and independence, a nicer place to live, wellbeing and exercise, access to jobs and facilities... Cycling ticks all the Council's boxes!

What is Space for Cycling?

Leeds is calling for action on six key themes. These connect with the priorities in our Manifesto and Vision:

Safe Routes for schoolchildren

Reduction of traffic volume, creating streets without through motor traffic

Protected space on main roads and safe cycling through major junctions

We are writing to local councillors to ask them to support Space for Cycling. You can start now by contacting your local councillors. Just click the Councillor's name to personalise the letter with your own Space4Cycling request. Is there a park in your area where families should be able to learn to ride? A busy road crying out for a safe cycle path alongside? A rat-run for vehicles that should be a safe space for cyclists and pedestrians?

We held a Big Bike Ride on Saturday 17th May, which was a fantastically successful show of support for the Space4Cycling campaign, involving a spin around the city centre and a leisurely ride out to Kirkstall Abbey. We made local news on Calendar and BBC Look North as well as articles in the Yorkshire Evening Post, Yorkshire Post and RoadCC. You can see photos from the ride by visiting our facebook page.

More big rides have happened recently in Manchester and Birmingham to coincide with the national party conferences and a ride also took place in Newcastle.